Council members of Morris-Turnberry are misusing their power in the
effort to push through a revised animal control bylaw to be upheld
by dog catcher/animal bylaw officer Bob Trick.
This bylaw went through three readings before a concerned citizen
who was at the meeting for another reason and heard about it, did
what he could to let others know. Council did not inform residents
in tax mailouts or with dog tags.
At the last council meeting those who had heard and could attend
tried to address the situation and were told only two people could
speak at the meeting to this issue. Council deferred fourth and
final reading until June 4, when the intention is to pass the bylaw.
This is undemocratic.
Among many vague, ludicrous and unreasonable proposed changes to
this bylaw, here are just a few:
* Restricted pets will be listed as including polar bears, pandas,
crocodiles, giraffes, hippos and, for reptile lovers, most snakes
and iguanas, and the ever vicious hedgehogs. (They will be permitted
as long as the owners fill out the paperwork, shows they know how to
properly care for the animal and and pay the $85 fee – cash grab.)
* Failure to remove excrement from your dog in public areas can
result in a $125 fine but those who were at the meeting say property
owners may be fined for not cleaning up dog excrement from their own
property.
* The limit of five cats and dogs – no more than two dogs urban
areas or three in rural – I am assuming the rest can be cats which
probably outnumber dogs and are not tagged or kept track of. I’m not
sure how this would apply to the many barn cats.
* Trick will have authority to inspect such things as reptile
enclosures for proper heat settings and care, remove any pet he
feels is not cared for properly or is deemed dangerous, and pick up
pets running at large. Upon pick up/removal etc. he may dispose of
the pet as he deems necessary such as taking to Wingham vet clinic
for holding, euthanizing or even selling. He may also shoot an
animal.
The restricted pet section is almost a joke unless you are trying to
open a zoo.
Removing excrement in public places is reasonable, but there are
horses on our roads that leave larger piles, and cats that leave
excrement in public areas, flower beds, sand boxes and so on. In my
own yard my dogs go on a rope outside to do their business and
although I do not clean it up each time I do clean my yard as needed
and it is my personal property, I thought. I also have to clean up
messes left by other people’s pets that run loose or are walked by
and go on my lawn. Can the animal control officer honestly say he
can tell what kind of animal and whose animal left what mess if he
isn’t there in person to see the infraction?
I do agree with reasonable limits on pets but this will leave many
rescue pets without proper foster care until such homes are found.
As for the animal control officer being allowed to inspect housing,
care and control of all animals, some people want to know what
college/university degrees, veterinarian/technician licencing,
training courses etc. are required for someone not only doing
inspections but who is given authority to shoot, take for
euthanizing or sell confiscated pets. This is a major concern for
me. Is the council ready to cover his legal costs when charges ensue
and to cover costs for treatment, reimbursement or replacement of
that pet(s)?
It should be disclosed how many districts the animal control officer
actually covers. Many municipalities have discontinued this position
completely and handed over responsibility to the OPP and local
police services to cover areas better and save much needed municipal
funds (our tax money) for other more pressing needs.
The next township meeting is Tuesday, June 4 at 7:30 at the
Morris-Turnberry township building. Those wishing to speak at the
meeting should contact Nancy Michie at the office 519-887-6137 or
fax 519-887-6424 or email <a
href=mailto:[email protected]”>[email protected].
Council members’ contact information is available at the township
website
